What about Tracks and Benchmarks?

[hiplainsdrftr]

So, when are we gonna hear about this car being at Laguna Seca or the Nurbergring and such? What about the benchmark cars it's supposed to compete with? It's gonna be a real sports car right?

I had a lot of fun camping at Laguna Seca and watching the GTR drive with the Porsche before it's release. I want to see that again with this car.

I want to compare track times and hope this car beats MX5's and Genesis coupes and Mustangs and such.

Do you think this car can really compete?

[Nellen]

I think this car will doom MX5/Genesis Coupe times. But let's see what's gonna really happen...

[Cal]

I would hope this car can compete with the whole "driving machine" thing they are pushing.

[hiplainsdrftr]

Yeah, I hope it can doom MX5 and Genesis coupe times, but I'm not so confident without having some PWR numbers to consider. Genesis is heavy buy appropriately powered and the miata is weak but super light so brakes aren't used much.

Cal - What's this 'driving machine' thing? They is Toyota, not BMW right? I Googled it and saw that Toyota is the prefered 'driving machine' for the Taliban and laughed some.

[Cal]

I didn't mean those word literally, I meant all the stuff they have been saying about how it will be so good to drive.

Like this snippet from the press release for instance.

The idea of “pure balance” is further realized by the FR-S’ lightweight design and short wheelbase. The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of any corner, with dynamic maneuverability and confident stability.

“Akio Toyoda has mentioned that he is going to bring the fun-to-drive spirit back to Toyota,” Hollis said. “I know that the Scion FR-S Concept is one of the ways that he plans to accomplish that.”

[ForRealSomeday]

From what we know so far, compared to the MX-5, this car should have every advantage. Better power to weight, lower CoG, more rigidity (not a convertible).

Despite the "chick car" stigma the MX-5 is very much a sports car capable of embarrassing much more expensive, and higher power cars. In addition the MX-5 is the most raced car on the planet and has alot of tuning potential.

So, the FT-86/FR-S/086 will be a better platform than the MX-5. It should have a ton of aftermarket support since it has both Subaru and Toyota fans seemingly frothing at the mouth.

[modifiedMR]

From what we know so far, compared to the MX-5, this car should have every advantage. Better power to weight, lower CoG, more rigidity (not a convertible).

Despite the "chick car" stigma the MX-5 is very much a sports car capable of embarrassing much more expensive, and higher power cars. In addition the MX-5 is the most raced car on the planet and has alot of tuning potential.

So, the FT-86/FR-S/086 will be a better platform than the MX-5. It should have a ton of aftermarket support since it has both Subaru and Toyota fans seemingly frothing at the mouth.

Yes, the mx-5 is a good little car. This car should be every bit better and IMO, this car should be more in line with s2000 numbers. Why? About the same weight, maybe less hp, but more tq (hopefully more than 160) and should have the same balance with close to the same handling. In fact, I would almost think it would be even faster than the s2000. If they can get over 180 tq and 210 hp, it should be.

[Cal]

MX-5 with an S14/15 SR20. DONE.

[ForRealSomeday]

MX-5 with an S14/15 SR20. DONE.

The motor in the new MX-5 is actually pretty sweet. There's been alot of aftermarket support for it. Including complete heads and a bolt on supercharger from COSWORTH!

If you're bored, take a look at what Goodwin Racing has done.
Good-Win Racing, LLC -- About Us

Speaking of Cosworth, They've supplied incredible parts and support for the Subaru boxer engines in the past. Hopefully that continues. I want my engine bay all "cosworthed" out!

[ej25ti]

Speaking of Cosworth, They've supplied incredible parts and support for the Subaru boxer engines in the past. Hopefully that continues. I want my engine bay all "cosworthed" out!

agreeed!!!

[G4BROKE]

Speaking of Cosworth, They've supplied incredible parts and support for the Subaru boxer engines in the past. Hopefully that continues. I want my engine bay all "cosworthed" out!

If you can afford it or willing to 'waste' the money, but recognize there are many other well performing alternatives which will perform as well (or better) for much less. I will only say 'reconsider' their head gaskets, since they are made by another company, and this company's brand of gaskets have cause many hydro locks on STI blocks, and no big WHP either. I am aware of one case where a Cosworth crate longblock (made 458whp) did not last long (approx. 1100 miles) and is in the process of being rebuilt. BUT, if it's easiest, having the cash and wish to do it, it's about choice.

another note: Cosworth cam are made by a renown "other" company as well but they are good, Cosworth just cost more.

My
Cheers,

[ForRealSomeday]

I suppose I'm mostly taken in by their rich racing history, than any real facts or figures.

Realistically, I want 300HP to 350HP in this car delivered linearly and reliably. What ever is going to give me that at a reasonable price will be what I go with.

Thanks for the input. Do you do engine work yourself? Have you heard anything about aftermarket work on the new generation of boxer engines?

[ej25ti]

What really got me for them was the Escort... if i had the money id buy one lol

I wanna be one of the first to have a 12 second FR-S :P

[G4BROKE]

I suppose I'm mostly taken in by their rich racing history, than any real facts or figures. ?

Yes they did, and somewhat still do. For sure, their Fords kick serious tail, still! Subaru not so much but maybe in the future. Surely we all saw the UK Cosworth STI in Top Gear etc - it got beat by a prototype Volvo.

Realistically, I want 300HP to 350HP in this car delivered linearly and reliably. What ever is going to give me that at a reasonable price will be what I go with.?

The current EJ25 stock block can produce about ~350WHP fairly alright, but beefing up the pistons (forged) will ensure it lasting much much longer at that, and could handle up to about ~450whp max without reducing major engine wear. But really, this all depends on driving habits, and MAINTENANCE!
My STI block is mainly stock except for forged pistons and makes ~350+ whp (~370 wtq) with my after market turbo (Blouch 2.5R). I regularly put high rpms into it, up to 7k at sometimes for nearly 50K miles now. No issue nor any significant oil burn, but I maintain my vehicle carefully.

Thanks for the input. Do you do engine work yourself? Have you heard anything about aftermarket work on the new generation of boxer engines?

I don't do engine work.
I only have access to the best advice about Subaru motors (other JDM/USDM motors too) from a group of fantastic folks at an highly reputable performance shop in New England. They are surely among the best mechanics, tuner, and JDM enthusiasts in the North east.
Right now, I have not heard about aftermarket parts/work yet nor had any of the members from the shop. They are all aware of the new motor and have not had accessible to really test or work on them to understand details yet. They may have more info now than I could provide.

[G4BROKE]

What really got me for them was the Escort... if i had the money id buy one lol

Yes, the Cosworth Escort was/is truly bad ass!

I wanna be one of the first to have a 12 second FR-S :P

Only a 12 second FR-S, nothing faster? LOL... Surely they will be quicker but for a price, as usual. I would imagine a few bolt on's & small turbo, it's possible.

[Cal]

I regularly put high rpms into it, up to 7k at sometimes for nearly 50K miles now. No issue nor any significant oil burn, but I maintain my vehicle carefully.

Dude 7K? Damn lol

[G4BROKE]

Dude 7K? Damn lol

My shift indicator used to be set for 6,700 rpm and it would lite up ALL the time in gears 1-4, many times seeing it hit 7K+ then oops...holding my breath...off accel -> clutch shift. (even had it go off after I stepped on the clutch, eek...hahaha)
I've calm down a bit, shift indictor's set for 6,400 rpm but rarely lites up, but does occassionally. LOL...

[modifiedMR]

My mr2 goes to 7200 stock and 7500 when I install my pfc. Many have built them to do 8500+ rpm. I hope they build this fr-s to go to 7k or higher.

[ej25ti]

My shift indicator used to be set for 6,700 rpm and it would lite up ALL the time in gears 1-4, many times seeing it hit 7K+ then oops...holding my breath...off accel -> clutch shift. (even had it go off after I stepped on the clutch, eek...hahaha)
I've calm down a bit, shift indictor's set for 6,400 rpm but rarely lites up, but does occassionally. LOL...

dittttttto

[Cal]

My shift indicator used to be set for 6,700 rpm and it would lite up ALL the time in gears 1-4, many times seeing it hit 7K+ then oops...holding my breath...off accel -> clutch shift. (even had it go off after I stepped on the clutch, eek...hahaha)
I've calm down a bit, shift indictor's set for 6,400 rpm but rarely lites up, but does occassionally. LOL...

I get like 4-5K if I am hauling ass. Then again I have a POS engine.

[G4BROKE]

Though, we had been going off topic here but news is slow so perhap a wee bit more.

In over a month, hopefully - i'd been waiting to see, a long project (not mine) will be completed. a 2.5RS w/ a JDM 2.0L ver.7 STI motor. The owner is anxious to get that puppy reving into 8K. I will likely get video of this when it's complete, hopefully.

edit: The RS will have a 6 spd trans too.

[ej25ti]

Though, we had been going off topic here but news is slow so perhap a wee bit more.

In over a month, hopefully - i'd been waiting to see, a long project (not mine) will be completed. a 2.5RS w/ a JDM 2.0L ver.7 STI motor. The owner is anxious to get that puppy reving into 8K. I will likely get video of this when it's complete, hopefully.

yes pleeeze